Football, basketball, volleyball, golf, soccer, cross country, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, track & field, and more filled our feeds this past year, featuring all the good news about our Region athletes in their respective sports. There is so much talent to go around in our area, and we had a blast attending games, matches, meets, and more to help others see the action from a unique perspective.
Whether it was state championships, basketball invitationals, gymnastics sectionals, regional tournaments, new clubs, or anything in between, we shared it all in 2023 on behalf of the high schools and colleges that make our Region proud.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 sports articles on Valpo.Life to recap the good news in 2023!
HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING TEAMS ALL ACROSS NORTHWEST INDIANA ARE ON A ROLL
Bowling in Northwest Indiana (NWI) is a hot commodity, especially in a high school environment. Schools like Valparaiso High School, Michigan City High School, Munster High School, Lowell High School, Wheeler High School, La Porte High School, and much more are competing in the Lakeshore Indiana High School Bowling Conference (Lakeshore IHSB).
GOV. HOLCOMB THANKS THE VALPARAISO VIKINGS FOOTBALL TEAM “FOR MAKING HISTORY” AT VALPARAISO HIGH SCHOOL’S CELEBRATORY ASSEMBLY
Last November, the Valparaiso High School football team did the unimaginable when they beat Whiteland 35-31 and brought home the state championship—the Vikings' first state championship win in 47 years. On Tuesday, February 21, Indiana’s state elected officials decided it was high time to commend the team on its great accomplishment. Gov. Eric Holcomb, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, and Rep. Ed Soliday all came out to VHS’ celebratory assembly to praise the team for their success and, more importantly, thank them for being an inspiration to many.
VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY WELCOMES NEW HEAD BASKETBALL COACH ROGER POWELL WITH OPEN ARMS
Big strides are being made at Valparaiso University (VU). On Wednesday, April 12, VU welcomed its new head men’s basketball coach, Roger Powell, with a special press conference. Powell took the opportunity to share his goals and values and inspire hope for the future. The day was ultimately a wonderful celebration of new leadership, progress, and Valpo pride.
“This is truly a great day not only for Valpo men’s basketball but for the entire university as we continue to move in the right direction,” said VU Athletic Director Dr. Charles Small.
VALPO VIKINGS RECEIVE STATE CHAMPION RINGS AFTER HARD-FOUGHT SEASON
Getting far in the postseason of any high school sport is an achievement to be celebrated. It takes commitment, adaptability, and hard work to succeed. It’s an even greater achievement when, after nearly half a century, the high school football team goes all the way to State and wins. That’s why folks gathered on April 18 to present the Valparaiso High School (VHS) Vikings with the 2022 Football State Champion rings, celebrating the incredible dedication of everyone involved.
OAK PARTNERS’ CLINT HENRY SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR COMMUNITY AND VHS BASEBALL WITH NEW SCOREBOARD SPONSORSHIP
Amazing acts of generosity happen in the community every day, and Valparaiso High School’s (VHS) athletics department just received a very thoughtful gift. Clint Henry, VHS JV baseball coach and a partner and wealth advisor for Oak Partners, recently gave a considerable donation to VHS to fund a new scoreboard for the baseball field.
Henry has been with Oak Partners for 18 years. Oak Partners has always been committed to giving back to the communities it serves and encourages its employees to do the same. Henry has definitely taken that encouragement to heart. Despite not currently having kids in the baseball program, Henry has volunteered for VHS baseball for five years.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL SETS THE STAGE FOR OTHERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND BEYOND
In Northwest Indiana (NWI), Boys Volleyball is a developing sport that is only going to get stronger.
Boys Volleyball started in the area in late 2022 as tryouts and teams began to form. These boys compete in a league called the Indiana Boys Volleyball Coaches Association (IBVCA). This league controls the standings and rules within the Region.
EMBRACING ESPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE WITH SKILL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY, AND ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
The phenomenon of esports, or competitive video gaming, has gained worldwide popularity and is now being recognized and valued in high schools. In this article, we will explore the presence of esports in high schools, highlighting the numerous benefits for students, the scoring systems utilized, the sense of community fostered, and the opportunities created for personal and academic growth.
The captivating nature of esports is evident in the field’s rising popularity among high school students. The availability of video game live-streaming platforms and organized competitions has significantly contributed to this surge. High schools have begun to recognize the value of embracing this digital phenomenon and have started establishing esports programs. These programs provide students with a structured platform to compete, develop skills, and connect with like-minded peers.
CONCRETE FLOWS AS CONSTRUCTION OF FLOUNDER & FRIENDS SKATEPARK RACES TO COMPLETION
Valparaiso has amenities for plenty of outdoor recreation – baseball fields, parks, bike trails and walking paths are all a stone’s throw away from downtown. That’s why, when a gap in offering was noticed, the Valpo Parks Department set to work filling it.
“The community recognized that a skatepark was something we didn't have,” said Director of Parks Kevin Nuppnau. “The community engagement side of our public Master Plan process called for a skatepark, and as we looked at our inventory as a whole, it was something that we also identified as not being within our park system.”
THE UNPRECEDENTED DUAL REGIONAL SHOWDOWN: MORGAN TOWNSHIP AND WHEELER HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAMS MAKE HISTORY
In the world of high school soccer, regional playoffs are often a culmination of hard work, dedication, and skill. The air is filled with excitement as players and coaches alike prepare for the challenge of competing against the best teams in their region. This year, the soccer enthusiasts of Morgan Township High School and Wheeler High School, have an exceptional story to tell. For the first time in recent memory, both the boys and girls teams from Morgan Township and Wheeler were seeded to face each other in regionals, setting the stage for an unprecedented dual regional showdown against Wheeler.
Both soccer programs’ coaches are beaming with pride as their teams qualified for the regional playoffs. It's a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the exceptional talent that has developed under their guidance. For both programs, this achievement signifies a new era of excellence, showing the rest of the state what they are capable of.
THE RISE OF LACROSSE IN HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE REGION: FOSTERING ATHLETES AND BUILDING COMMUNITIES
Lacrosse, a sport steeped in tradition and excitement, has seen a significant rise in popularity among high school students in Northwest Indiana (NWI). The Region, known for its rich sporting culture, has embraced lacrosse as a thrilling and competitive athletic pursuit.
Lacrosse, often referred to as "the fastest sport on two feet," is a dynamic and exhilarating game that combines athleticism, skill, and strategy. Originating from Native American tribes, lacrosse has evolved into a highly organized sport played worldwide.